Power Plants

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Interview (Tomohiko Okada)

“Energetica India: May we know the Toshiba’s footprints in Hydro Sector in India? What kind of challenges you generally face in any Hydro Project development.”

Toshiba Group is one of the World's leading suppliers of Hydro Power equipment including pumped storage hydroelectric equipment, and has supplied over 2,000 hydro power generators with over 56,000MW generating capacity around the world for over 120 years. Toshiba is also the first manufacturer of hydroelectric generating equipment for electric utility in Japan.

In India, Toshiba, through its 100% subsidiary company Toshiba India Private Limited (TIPL), is also intensively involved in turnkey projects which require contractor’s strong leadership for successful completion. For hydroelectric power generation plants in India, Toshiba offers turnkey solutions by providing turbines and generators of all sizes. Toshiba delivers small to large hydropower systems and micro hydro equipment of remarkable design and efficiency.

In India, Toshiba delivered both conventional and pumped storage plants and small to large capacity machines.

In context to challenges in any Hydro Project, execution depends on lot of factors like geology, topography, hydrology and accessibility to project area. Difficult terrain, hostile weather coupled with lack of adequate Transmission & Distribution (T&D) system, adversely affects developments of Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs). Land acquisition, environmental clearance and litigations may also result in delays and consequent cost overruns. Besides, the lack of a compulsory hydropower purchase obligation impacts the signing of long-term PPAs and financial closure for projects.

By 2030, Government of India plans to add-up 175 GW into the grid through Renewable Energy. Due to fluctuating nature of renewable energy, grid network may not be stable. To counter such situations, Toshiba has technology of Adjustable Speed Machines for Pumped Storage Hydro Projects. Adjustable Speed Pumped Storage Hydro Power System can absorb fluctuations in both frequency and output and provides uninterrupted power supply to the end consumer and act like a large sized Battery System

“Energetica India:What is your expectation of growth of Hydro and Renewable energy sector in India”

Compared to developed nations, India has not explored its hydro power potential fully and share of energy from Hydro resources is very less in comparison to other conventional sources. Recent decisions to support the renewable and non-conventional energy sector through various initiatives, along with inclusion of large-hydro projects under ‘Renewable’ category is a very appreciable move by the Government of India to ensure energy security. In our opinion, there is a need to harness every possible source of power that modern technology has made feasible and, if necessary, make use of state-of-the-art scientific methods that can be provided by multi-national companies like Toshiba which has always been at the frontier levels of research in hydro power.

“Energetica India:What is your expectation of growth of Hydro and Renewable energy sector in India”

Compared to developed nations, India has not explored its hydro power potential fully and share of energy from Hydro resources is very less in comparison to other conventional sources. Recent decisions to support the renewable and non-conventional energy sector through various initiatives, along with inclusion of large-hydro projects under ‘Renewable’ category is a very appreciable move by the Government of India to ensure energy security. In our opinion, there is a need to harness every possible source of power that modern technology has made feasible and, if necessary, make use of state-of-the-art scientific methods that can be provided by multi-national companies like Toshiba which has always been at the frontier levels of research in hydro power.